The Ahmedabad-based lawyer however, said he has given a clean chit to both the players.

''I will not recommend any sort of punishment to the players as I have been appointed to inquire about the incident under rule 32 of the BCCI (which authorises the board president to appoint a commissioner to assist a disciplinary committee),'' Nanavati told mediapersons here.

''I will have to submit my report on the incident to the board president Sharad Pawar and he will forward it to the disciplinary committee which will decide about the quantum of punishment to be given to the person who is found guilty,'' he added. ''It is up to them. They can even let off a person.'' Nanavati spoke in favour of Harbhajan Singh, saying that the temparamental off-spinner, who was banned from the IPL, has already suffered enough punishment.

'' The slap was not a premeditated action. Harbhajan was provoked and acted in the heat of the momment,'' he insisted. ''He has already been banned from the IPL. I do not think he needs any more punishment.'' Nanavati had recorded the statements of Harbhajan, Sreesanth, Match Referee Farokh Engineer and the two on-field umpires - Aleem Dar of Pakistan and India's Amiesh Saheba before preparing his 14-page report.